The USA CRITS Championship Series is on the rise in 2011. The series will roll out in Athens, Georgia, in April and will include ten men’s and eight women’s events, up from eight and five a year ago, respectively. Isaac Howe (Mountain Khakis-Jittery Joe’s) and Erica Allar (Vera Bradley Foundation) won the series overall titles in 2010.

The 32nd Annual Terrapin Twilight Criterium in Athens will open the fifth edition of the series, which features a mix of classic and new criteriums across the United States. Five months of racing will wrap up at the Capital Criterium presented by Washington Convention and Sports Authority in Washington, D.C., on October 2.

The USA CRITS series has for half a decade served as a proving ground for developing and seasoned criterium riders in the States. Former overall winners include Tina Pic, Laura Van Gilder and Mark Hekman.

Brian Holcombe

Brian Holcombe is the editor of VeloNews.com. Holcombe joined VeloNews in 2009 following years spent introducing students to whitewater kayaking and working in avalanche control, among other more risky ventures. A Master of PR and Marketing Communications, his graduate work at the University of Denver focused on innovation, digital media management and custom publishing. Holcombe is a CSU Ram fan and proud parent, and has been accused of attacking too much on the VN lunch ride. Follow him on Twitter @FCBrian.